Driver injured, trapped after semi goes airborne

A semi carrying 42,000 pounds of liquid carbon dioxide went airborne and slid through a field, injuring and trapping the driver Friday morning, according to the Rock County Sheriff’s Office.

Emergency crews were called to State Highway 81 at South Olson Road at 3:42 a.m. for a report of a semi rollover crash. Crews said they found a semi turned on its passenger side in a field and the driver, Brian Lamont, 33, of Monroe, was trapped inside. It took more than an hour to get Lamont out. He was taken to Mercy Hospital and Trauma Center in Janesville with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Deputies said the semi was traveling east on Highway 81 when Lamont failed to negotiate a curve and crossed through the oncoming lane of traffic. The semi followed the north shoulder of the road before it hit a culvert at South Olson Road and became airborne.

The semi landed on the east side of South Olson Road, turned onto its passenger side and slid for about 100 yards, knocking down several trees and a power pole before coming to rest, according to deputies.

The tank was damaged, but there was no leak.

The road was closed for about two hours and crews remained on the scene after the road reopened to clean up the crash.

No citations have been issued.

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